Gas turbine plant



July 3, 1951 H. C. MAY ET AL GAS TURBINE PLANT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed April 20, 1948 I F l t .Y m: w @E QND QM I 0 an own TM 8 Q, i Sn 8N m H m. 1 N0 Q. 3w 1 E M N w s r. 3 i. R Q @N 2 Q S HE. x w n:

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w UL new .1 9w cum m .H 8n Qw WC km 1 E 6w 3 m 5 an QN HE m: :N ow 3 8H ATTORNEY Patented July 3, 1951 GAS TURBINE PLANT Harry 0. May,

Hewitt, Pittsburgh, Pa inghouae Air Brake Com a corporation of Pennsyl Original application A Divided and her 24, 1949, Serial No 8 Claims.

This invention relates to control apparatus for a gas turbine power plant particularly adapted for use on railway locomotives, the present,

application being a division of our copending application, Serial No. 22,208, filed April 20, 1948.

It is a principal object Of this invention to provide control apparatus for controlling operation of a coal burning gas turbo-electric plant, including coal handling and processing equipment, of the type disclosed in the article "Coal and gas-turbine locomotive by John I. Yellott and Charles F. Kottcamp appearing in the publication Railway Age of June 25, 1947.

It is another object of this invention to provide control apparatus for coal handling and processing equipment comprised in the abovementioned coal burning gas turbo-electric plant which will automatically assure an adequate supply of processed coal for use as fuel.

It is another object of the invention to provide control apparatus for controlling the power output of the above-mentioned turbo-electric plant.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide control apparatus for controlling the power output of the above mentioned turboelectric plant in a manner that will assure operation of the turbine comprised therein at a sufficiently high temperature through the major portion of its operating range to take advantage of the higher thermal eiiiciency at such a temperature.

Other objects and advantages oi this invention will appear in the ioliowing more detailed description thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figs. 1 and 2, with the right hand end of Fig. 1 matched with the left hand end of Fig. 2, is a diagrammatic, part sectional layout of a plant embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is an elevation view of a bunker door operating mechanism and controls therefor forming a part of said plant;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view, substantially in section, of an interlock valve device comprised in the controls shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a valve device shown in elevation in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of weighing apparatus comprised in the controls shown in Fig. 2;

East McKeesport, and Ellis E.

., assignors to The Westpany, Wilmerding, Pa vania pril 20, 1948, Serial No.

this application Septem- 117,699

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a timing cylinder device comprised in the controls shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic sectional view of an interlock valve device comprised in the controls shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a temperature sensitive actuator device, also comprised in the controls shown in Fig. 2.

In the following description like parts are designated by like numerals in all figures in the drawings.

General description of coal burning gas turboelectric power plant, including one! handling equipment comprised therein Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 in the drawings, in the coal burning gas turboelectric power plant, including coal handling equipment comprised therein, which forms no part of this invention, a coal bunker i is provided for storing coal to be used as fuel for operation of the plant. A worm feed stoker 2 is located at the bottom of the bunker l, arranged to be rotated by an air operated stoker motor 8 for feeding coal'irom the bunker i into the lower end of a duct 4 and through same to the top of a coal crusher device 5. A gate 6 is provided for opening and closing the duct 4 to the crusher device 5. Gate 8 is arranged to be operated to an open positionby a cylinder 6' upon supply of fluid under pressure thereto.

The crusher device 5 comprises crushing means (not shown), such as a high-speed hammermill or the like, arranged to be driven by an electric motor I for reducing the size of the coal to small particles which collect in the bottom of the crusher device.

The crushed coal particles in the bottom oi the crusher device are conveyed to the top of a first storage tank 8 through a conduit 9 and a centrifugal type separator device In by means of a suction air stream. The separator device It is provided for separating the crushed coal from the conveying air, and a centrifugal type suction fan II is arranged to be operated by an electric motor 12 to provide suction for moving said conveying air, as well as for moving a certain amount of drying air through the coal bunker I via ducts i8 and H. A duct I5 is provided for conveying air discharged from the suction fan It to an exhaust stack or the like.

From the first storage tank 8, which may be at slightly less than atmospheric pressure, the crushed coal storage therein is fed into a pressurized coal storage tank which may be at a pressure of one hundred fifty pounds, for example. Coal pumps 2| are arranged to be driven by electric motors 22 for feeding the crushed coal from the storage tank 8 at low pressure into the storage tankZO at the higher pressure. Detail of the coal pumps is now shown, but said pumps may be in the form of a rotatable element having a cavity formed therein arranged to fill with coal when exposed to the tank 8 and to dump said coal upon subsequent exposure to tank 20.

Crushed coal in the pressurized coal storage tank 20 is fed by a worm feed stoker 23 into a line 24 in which compressed air at say one hundred fifty pounds is caused to how, as will hereinafter be pointed out. An electric motor 25 is provided for driving the worm feed stoker 23.

Pulverized coal thus fed into the line 24 is conveyed by the compressed air flowing therein into .a coal feed regulator device 26 which is adapted to regulate the supply of air-conveyed coal from the line 24 to a feed line 21, by-passing any excess back into the storage tank 26.

The regulator device 26 may comprise a feed valve 29 and a by-pass valve 30, both substantially in the shape of a frustrated cone or modifled form of needle valve, connected one with the other by a rigid element 3|. A stem 32 may be secured at one end to valve 36 and is reciprocably disposed within a suitable bore in a sleeve member 33 for guiding movement of the valves. An operating stem 34 may be provided for actuating the valves 29, 30. The opposite end of stem 34 -may be disposed outside the casing of device 26 for pivotal connection to an operating lever of an actuating device, as will be described in detail hereinafter. Movement of stem 34 moves valves 29 and toward or away from respective valve seats 31 and 38, according to direction of such movement. As valve 29 is moved toward seat 31 by upward movement of stem 34, valve 30 is simultaneously moved away from seat 38. Line 24 opens into a supply chamber 49 intermediate the two valve seats, while feed line 21 is open to a delivery chamber 4| on the outlet side of seat 31, with a return chamber 42 on' the outlet side of seat 38 opening into the top of tank 20. The airconveyed coal supplied to chamber 49 is distributed to chambers 4| and 42 in accordance with proximity of the valves 29 and 30 to the respective seats 31 and 38, as will be appreciated.

The air-conveyed coal flowing in feed line 21 is expanded through an adjustable nozzle device 43, where the pressure drops from one hundred fifty pounds to about seventy pounds, into a conical attrition chamber 44. The compressed air 1 which has permeated into the pores of each coal than coal of high grindability, $0 the nozzle device is made adjustable to allow the air-to-coal ratio to be maintained at a suitable value as the coal flow varies. The conveying air to line 21 is supplied by a booster compressor 46 driven by a variable speed turbine 45, whereby the pressure at the inlet to nozzle device 43 will tend to vary with speed of the booster compressor which is substantially dependent upon the amount of fuel supplied, but by adjustment of the flow area of said nozzle device the proper pressure drop therethrough may be maintained for any given amount of fuel and supply of conveying air to line 21, as will be more fully described hereinafter. A hot air line 41 is connected to the feed line 27 at the inlet side of the nozzle device 43 to aid in obtaining a desirable temperature of air and fuel.

The adjustable nozzle device 43 may comprise a casing having an inlet chamber 48 to which the feed line 21 is connected, and an outlet chamber 49 connected to the attrition chamber 44. A variable area throat may be formed intermediate the chambers 48 and 49 by an element 50 fixed to the interior of the casing in the path of flow of coal and conveying air admitted to chamber 48, and by an adjustable element 5| projecting into said path of flow opposite to element 50. Adjustable element 5| may comprise a cylindrical portion slidably mounted in a suitable bore in the casing and'attached to an operating rod 53 extending outwardly through the casing; the outer projecting end of rod 53 being adapted for pivotal connection to an actuator, as will be described in detail hereinafter, to position the adjustable element 5|.

The atomized coal and conveying air leaves the top of the attrition chamber 44 and, via a pipe 54, enters a by-pass control valve device 55, which, during normal running operation of the plant, connects said pipe 54 via another pipe 56 to a nozzle 51 for supplying the fine particles of coal to a combustion chamber 58. The by-pass control valve device 55 is operative, during starting of the plant with fuel oil, as will be later described, to disconnect the pipe 56 from the pipe 54 and to connect the latter pipe to a return pipe 59 connected to the top of the first storage tank 6. Thus, during starting, any coal and/or conveying air supplied to the feed line 2'! by-passes the combustion chamber 58 and is returned to the storage tank 8 while said combustion chamber is warmed up on an oil flame, as will be pointed out.

The by-pass control valve device 55 may comprise a casing 60 in which is disposed a piston slide valve 6|, or the like, having an inlet port 62, which is constantly open to the pipe 54 from the attrition chamber 44, and two separate outlet ports 63, 64 connected to port 62, may be provided for registry with pipes 56 and 59, respectively. In a first position of the valve 6|, port 63 registers with pipe 56 while port 64 is blanked oil, and in a second position, the port 63 is blanked off and port 64 registers with the return pipe 59. A compression spring 65 may be arranged to urge valve 6i in the direction of its first position, and by supply of fluid under pressure to a chamber 66, action of said spring may be overcome to move said valve to its second position. Upon venting of fluid under pressure from chamber 66, the spring 65 returns valve 6! to its first position, in which it is shown in the drawing.

A fuel oil nozzle device 61 is provided for supplying fuel oil to the combustion chamber 58 for warm-up of the turbine 45 during starting and for supporting a pilot flame to assure combustion of coal during running operation of said turbine. Nozzle device 61 is provided with a needle valve 91a for regulating flow of fuel oil from a pressurized source (not shown) via a pipe 51b to the combustion chamber 59. By advancing the needle valve 57a toward a seat 610 the amount of fuel oil to the combustion chamber 59 is reduced. By moving valve 91a away from seat We the amount of fuel oil to chamber 59 is increased. A stem GM is provided to allow for adjustment of the needle valve 91a. One end of stem 61d is attached to the needle valve, while the opposite end is adapted to be connected to an actuator device for eilfecting the adjustment of said valve, as will be described hereinafter.

Coal and air supplied via nozzle 51 to the combustion chamber 58, as well as fuel oil supplied via nozzle device 91, in burning, form hot expansible combustion gases which are mixed with compressed air discharged from a main compressor 58 driven by the turbine 45. The mixture of compressed air and hot combustion gases are passed through a separator 59, which may be of the centrifugal type, where particles of fly ash generated by combustion of coal in the combustion chamber are removed from said gases. The ash falls to the bottom of the separator 59 where it collects. A hopper I9, open at itsbottom to atmosphere, is provided to receive and allow for removal of accumulated ash. A normally closed gate I2, arranged to be actuated to an open position by a fluid pressure actuated cylinder device 13 is provided for controlling entrance of ash into hopper I9 from the bottom of the separator. Means are provided for watering down the ash before leaving the hopper I9 in the form of a spray device I4 disposed in said hopper and being adapted to be supplied with water via a pipe 15. A valve device 15, interposed in pipe I5, provides for control of water from a source (not shown) to the spray device 14. A fluid pressure cylinder device 11 is adapted and arranged to actuate valve device I6 to an open position at substantially the same time that gate 12 is opened by cylinder device '13, there being a fluid pressure control line 18 connected in common to both cylinder devices. Control of supply and release of fluid under pressure to and from line I8 may be effected by a manually operable valve device I8.

Hot expansible gases leaving the separator 69 are fed into an inlet to the turbine 45 via an inlet duct 19, or the like, and after expanding through said turbine, may leave same via an exhaust duct 99 and one side of a regenerator 8|, after which the now expanded gases may pass to the atmos phere. In expanding, the hot gases drive the turbine 45 which in turn drives the main compressor 58, the booster compressor 45, and an electric generator 83. Atmospheric air is admitted into the compressor 58 at 84, and, after being compressed in passing therethrough, is conveyed via a duct or ducts 95 into the opposite side of the regenerator 8! where it is pre-heated by exhaust gases from the turbine 45 before mixing with the combustion gases for admission to the turbine, as was previously mentioned.

The electric generator 83 may be. of the direct current type, which, driven by the turbine 45, generates current for operating an electric driving motor 85 to produce motive power for driving the locomotive. An auxiliary generator 91, also driven by turbine 45, is provided for producing current for exciter windings 89 of the generator piston is 93. A field rheostat 89 is provided for controlling current from the auxiliary generator 81 to the exciter windings 89. By movement of an arm 99 of rheostat 99, resistance coils 98' may be cut in or out of the field circuit in the well-known manner. Rheostat 98 is so adapted and arranged that by turning movement of arm 99 in a counterclockwise direction about a fixed point 98a, resistance in the generator field circuit may be reduced to allow for greater excitation of the exciter windings 89. In the position in which arm 99 is shown in the drawing excitation of the generator field windings will be at a minimum.

The booster compressor 45, shown in outline in Fig. 2, may provide a source of supply of compressed air for brakes on the locomotive and train as well as for the control apparatus for the plant, which latter will be described hereinafter. Compressed air is taken from the duct 85 on the discharge side of the main compressor 68 via a pipe 9|, after passing through cooling coils 92, or the like, to furnish intak air for the booster compressor 49. Discharge from the booster compressor 46 may be fed into a line 93 to a fluid pressure storage reservoir 94 at about one hundred fifty pounds, for example. By way of a pipe 95, conveying air at reservoir pressure of one hundred fifty pounds is supplied from the reservoir 94 to the line 24 for supplying conveying air for crushed coal introduced into said line. Air is supplied to a pipe 96 from the line 93 and circulated via a hot air regulator device 91 and coils 98 disposed in the path of hot turbine exhaust gases in the duct 89 to furnish hot air for supply to the hot air line 41 connected to feed line 21 as was previously mentioned.

According to a feature of the invention, the hot air regulator device 9! is provided to control the hot air feed to the hot air line 41 in accordance with the pressure of air in the reservoir 94 in order to assure that suflicient conveying air will be supplied to the line 24 for conveying crushed coal to the adjustable nozzle 43. The device 91 is normally open until pressure of air in .the reservoir 94 drops to one hundred forty pounds, for example, whereupon it will close oil. supply of air to the hot air line 41.

Device 97 may comprise a control valve 99 secured to move with a diaphragm I disposed within a. casing I9I. One side of diaphragm I99 may be subjected in a chamber I92 to air at the pressure in reservoir 94 via pipes I94 and 95, while the opposite side is subject to pressure of a control spring I93. Valve 99 is adapted to cooperate with a valve seat for controlling a com munication between chamber I92 and a chamber I95 at one side of a piston I95. When pressure of air in chamber I92, i. e., reservoir pressure, is above one hundred and fortypounds, due to action of said pressure on diaphragm I99, the valve 99 will be unseated and the pressure of fluid in chamber I95 will equal that in chamber I92, as a consequence of which piston I95 will be held in a displaced position. When pressure of air in chamber I92 acting on diaphragm I99 drops below one hundred and forty pounds, spring I93 will close valve 99, thus shutting off chamber I92 from chamber I95, whereupon pressurized air in the latter chamber will leak to atmosphere via a small port I91 in casing I9I, allowing piston I95 to return to its rest position in which it is shown in the drawing. A stem I99 is attached to piston I96 which cooperates with a supply valve I99 for holding same unseated when said held in its displaced position. A spring IIO urges valve I09 to a closed position when air is vented from chamber I05, and urges piston I06 to return to its rest position. Valve I09 controls a communication between a supply chamber II I connected to the pipe 96 and a delivery chamber II2 connected via a pipe II3 to the coils 90. A check valve device I I4 is inserted in the pipe I I3 to prevent back flow of pulverized coal and air from feed line 21 via hot air line 41, coils 98 and pipe I I3 into the regulator device when the valve I09 is closed so that said regulator device will not in elevation in Fig. 3, may be in the form of a I substantially rectangular tank for storing coal therein. Doors H8, H9 are provided at the top of the bunker, hinged at their outer edge, and arranged to be swung upwardly on their hinges to open the bunker for adding coal. To provide a weather-tight seal, the bunker door II9 overlaps the door H8 in their closed position. To look the bunker doors closed, a latch I20 engages the overlapping edges of said doors in closed position. Latch I20 may be secured to one end of a rod I2I pivotally mounted in brackets I22, I23 spaced apart and secured to an end Wall of the bunker. By turning movement of rod IN, the latch may be brought into and out of engagement with the uppermost overlapping bunker door II9 for respectively locking and unlocking same. For actuating the rod I2I a latch operating cylinder I24 is provided which may contain two pistons -I25, I26 spaced apart and rigidly secured one with the other by means of an operating rod I21 common to both. The rod I21 extends outwardly from the cylinder I24 and may be pivotally connected to a lever I28 attached to the end of rod I2I, so that reciprocal movement of rod I21 will cause turning movement of rod I2I. The casing of the cylinder I24 may be pivotally connected to an arm I30 secured to the bunker wall to allow necessary freedom for turning movement of lever I28. The pistons I25, I26 are so adapted and arranged that when latch I20 is in its locked position, in which it is shown in the drawing, piston I25 lies adjacent an end wall I3I of cylinder I24, with piston I26 disposed away from an opposite end wall I32 of said cylinder. Within the cylinder I24, the wall I3I serves to define, with piston I25, a pressure chamber I33, and end wall I32 serves to define a pressure chamber I34 with piston I26. An atmospheric chamber I35 is formed within the cylinder-intermediate the two pistons, a port or pipe I36 being provided to open said chamber to the atmosphere. A control pipe or line I31 is provided for supplying and releasing fluid under pressure to and from the pressure chamber I33, and another pipe or line I38 is pro-. vided for supplying and releasing fluid under pressure to and from the pressure chamber I34. While chamber I34 is vented to the atmosphere, if fluid under pressure is supplied to the chamber I33, the pistons I25, I26 and rod I21 are caused to move in the direction of the first mentioned chamber to effect unlocking of the latch .I20. Conversely, if chamber I33 is vented to the atmosphere and chamber I34 supplied with fluid under pressure. the pistons I25, I26 and rod I21 8 are caused to move in the direction of the first mentioned chamber for moving the latch I20 back to its locked position.

To operate the bunker door IIB, a fluidpressure cylinder device I40 may be provided, while a similar cylinder device I may be provided for operating the, door II9- Cylinder devices I40, I may comprise a piston I42 (shown in broken outline) having a door opening chamber I43 at one side and a door closing chamber I44 at the opposite side. A rod I45 attached to piston I42 is pivotally connected at I46 to a lever I41 secured to the respective bunker door. Assuming the bunker doors to be unlatched, and with the door closing chambers I44 vented to atmosphere, by supply of fluid under pressure to the door opening chambers I43 in the cylinder devices I40, I4I the pistons I42 and attached rods I45 are caused to move outwardly, and acting through levers I41, open the bunker doors H8, H9. By subsequently venting the doo opening chambers I43 to atmosphere and supplying fluid under pressure to the door closing chambers I44 in cylinder devices I40 and MI, in a similar manner, the bunker doors I I8, I I9 are caused to close. A control pipe or line I48 is connected to the door openingchambers I43 in both cylinder devices I40, I4I at each side of the bunker for conveyin fluid under pressure thereto and therefrom. For conveying fluid under pressure to and from the door closing chamber I44 in the cylinder device I40, a pipe or line I49 is provided, and to serve the same purpose with respect to cylinder device I4 I, a pipe or line I50 is provided.

According to the invention, I provide controls which assure the proper sequence of operation of the door latch I20 and door operating cylinder devices I40, I4I on each side of the coal bunker in effecting opening and closing of the bunker doors.

An interlock valve device I is provided at the end of the bunker door II8. Valve device I55 may be secured to an end wall of the bunker in such a manner as to be operable by a projecting element I56 carried by the door II8. Similarly, an interlock valve device I 51 is disposed at the end of the bunker door H9 and secured to the end wall of the bunker. A projecting element I50 is provided on the door H9 and secured thereto for operating the valve device I51.

Referring to Fig. 4, each of the interlock valve devices I55, I51 may comprise a casing I59 having a chamber I60, a chamber I6I, and an exhaust chamber I62 formed therein. A valve I63 is provided for controlling communication be tween the chamber I and the chamber IBI and a valve I64 is provided for controlling communication between the chamber I6I and the exhaust chamber I62 which is open to atmosphere via an exhaust port I65 in the casing. A control spring I66 is arranged to urge the valve I63 to a normally closed position, while the exhaust valve I64 held in a normally open position. An operating stem I61 is secured to the exhaust valve I64 and projects outside the casing. The valves I63, I64 are so arranged that when the stern I61 is displaced inwardly of the casing I59, the valve I64 is seated and the valve I63 unseated. Chamber I60 of the interlock valve device I55 is connected to the pipe I49. The chamber I6I, of the interlock valve device I55, is connected to the pipe I50. When door H8 is closed, stem I61 of device I55 will be depressed, valve I64 will be closed, valve I63 will be open, and therefore pipe I43 will be connected to pipe I50 via said device I 1 I55. when the door II! is opened, element I50 secured to said door will leave stem I01 of device 105 and allow valve I03 to close and valve I04 to open so that the pipe III is opened to atmosphere via chambers IBI, I02 and exhaust port I05.

The chamber I of interlock valve device I51 is connected to the pipe I49, but the delivery chamber IOI of said device is connected to the pipe I30. A pipe I12 is connected to the pipe I43 and to the cylinder device I24 in such a manner that after piston I25 is caused to move a distance away from end wall "I sufllcient to cause the latch I20 to move out of locking position, said pipe will open to chamber I33.

For controlling operation of the bunker door operating mechanism, two selector valve devices I10 are provided which may be located at any convenient position remote one from the other. Either of the selector valve devices is operable manually by a respective operator's handle I13 to control communication between the pipes I49, I31 and a fluid pressure supplyri e, such as a branch of the control supply pipe H5, and an exhaust pipe I14. Details 01' the valve devices I10 are not shown, but each may be of the wellknown rotary valve type.

Referring to Fig. 5, the rotary valve may be moved by handle I13 to any one of three positions which may be called open, rest, and close. In open position, the valve device I10 connects pipe II5 to pipe I 31 and pipe I49 to pipe I 14. In rest position, device I connects pipes I31, I49 to pipe I14,.while pipe H5 is blanked off. In close position, device I13 connects pipe I49 to pipe I I5 and pipe I31 to pipe I14.

With the selector valve devices I 10 in rest position, the doors H3, H9 closed, and the latch I in locked position, it it is desired to open the doors to supply coal to the bunker I, for example, the operators handle I13 of either selector valve device I10 may be moved to open position,

whereupon fluid under pressure from the line I I 5 is supplied to the line I31 while pipe I49 remains open to the exhaust pipe I14. Fluid under pressure thus supplied to the line I31 flows into chamber I33 in the latch operating cylinder device I24 where it acts on piston I25 to cause its movement in the direction of chamber I35 for eflecting movement of latch I20 to an unlocked position. At the same time, chamber I34 is open to the atmosphere via pipe I30, and valve device I 51. In thus moving, piston I25 opens pipe I12 to chamber I33, so that fluid under pressure then flows from said chamber into pipe I49 via said pipe I12, whence it flows into the door opening chambers I43 in the cylinder devices I40, I. At this time, chamber I44 in device I40, will be open to atmosphere by way of pipe I 49 and the respective selector valve device I10, and chamber I 44 in device I 4| will be open to the atmosphere by way of pipe I50, valve device I55, and pipe I49, so that fluid under pressure thus supplied to chambers I 43 in the devices I40, I causes the bunker doors Ill, and II! to open. As the doors open, the interlock valve devices I55 and I51 assume positions in which respective pipes I38 and I50 are vented to the atmosphere locally by way of port IE5 in said devices.

When it is desired subsequently to close the bunker doors H3, H5, the respective selector valve device I10 is moved to "close position, opening pipe I31 to exhaust pipe I14 and connecting pipe I49 to the supply line II5. Fluid under pressure in the door opening chambers I43 of cylinder devices I40, I i thus vented to in the selector valve device I10. Fluid under pressure supplied to the pipe I49, will flow to=' the chamber I09 01' interlock valve device I55, the chamber I00 in device I51, and to the door closing chamber I44 of cylinder device I43, wherein the pressure of fluid acting on the piston I42 effects closure of the door III through the lever I41 and rod I45. with closure of door III, the projecting element I53 carried by said door is brought into engagement with stem I51 of" device I 55. displacing said stem inwardly.' As previously described, the valve I04 in device III: is closed by inward movement of stem I51 while the valve I03 is opened, so that pipe I49 is now connected to pipe I 50 by way of chambers I00,' I". Fluid under pressure from pipe I49 will; now flow into pipe I50 to the door closing chainber I 44 in cylinder device I to eiiect closure' of the door H9 in manner similar to that previously described, overlapping door 8. It' will be seen that by means of the control means herein disclosed, closure of the bunker doors is effected sequentially so that door H9 overlaps door IIO in order to obtain the proper closure. When door H9 is closed, through displacement of stem I61 in interlock valve device I51 by the projecting element I 59 carried by said door, as was previously described, the pipe I49 is con-' nected via said device I51 to the pipe I 38. Fluid under pressure will then flow from pipes I49, I30 into chamber I34 of the cylinder device I24, whereupon the pressure of said fluid acting on piston I26 will effect movement of the latch I29 to locked position. The handle I13 in the re'-' spective selector valve device I10 may then be returned to rest" position, venting both pipes I49 and I31 to the atmosphere. It will thus be seen that means are provided whereby unlocking and opening, and closing and locking of the bunker doors is automatically effected in the proper sequence by selective positioning of an operators selector valve device I 10. By means of double check valves I15 inserted in branches of the pipes I 49 and I31 connected to respective valve devices I10, one of said devices I10 is isolated from the ssytem when the other 01' said devices I10 is operated.

According to other features of the invention, control of, supply of crushed coal to the storage tank 20 is carried on automatically. Means are provided whereby, when the weight of coal in tank 20 drops below a certain value, the coal processing equipment is brought into operation, and upon establishment of the desired weightj of coal in tank 20 said equipment is rendered inoperative. In bringing the coal processing equipment into operation, the suction fan Ii, crusher 5, and coal pumps 2I are started, then the crusher gate 3 is opened, and finally the air operated stoker motor 3 is started. Interlockmeans are provided in the control system which positively prevent openin of the crusher gate 6 and starting of the stoker motor 3 before the crusher and suction fan are first brought up to speed. Were coal supplied to the crusher before same was running, said coal might jam the crusher, and prevent its starting. If the crusher were brought into operation before the suction fan was operating to remove crushed coal, the crushed coal might accumulate in the crusher to cause faulty operation of the equipment. When the proper weight of coal in tank 20 has been established the equipment is shut down in the reverse order, i. e., first the stoker 2 is stopped, then the crusher gate 8 is closed, and flnally the crusher 5, suction Ian II and coal pumps 2I are stopped. By this order, coal may be cleared substantially from the crusher before shut-down to prevent stalling on a subsequent starting as previously mentioned.

General description of controls for coal handling portion of plant The control means for controlling the operation of the coal processing and handling equipmentmay comprise a fluid pressure weighing device I88 disposed substantially within tank 28 (Fig. 6) and which is arranged to eflect variations in pressure of fluid, through adjustment of a self-lapping valve device MI, in a fluid pressure governor device I8I in accordance with the weight of crushed coal in the pressurized storage tank 28. The governor device I8I is operative in response to a certain reduction in pressure of fluid from the deviceaI8I, corresponding to a certain reduction in weight of coal in tank 28, to eifect venting of fluid under pressure from a relay valve device I82 for causing fluid under pressure to be supplied to a timing cylinder device I88. The governor device I BI in response to dictates of device I88 will respond to effect supply of fluid under pressure from the relay valve device I82 for causing a corresponding venting of fluid under pressure from the timing cylinder device I88 when the weight of coal in tank 28 is subsequently increased to its desired value.

The timing cylinder device I83 is adapted, in response to supply of fluid under pressure from relay valve device I82 to successively efiect supply of fluid under pressure, first, to a fluid pressure switch device I84 which effects starting of suction fan II, crusher 5, and coal pumps 2|, second, to a supply chamber of a normally closed relay valve device I85 which controls supply of fluid under pressure to the crusher gate operating cylinder and third, to a supply chamber of a normally closed relay valve device I88 which controls supply of fluid under pressure to a second fluid pressure relay valve device I81 which in turn control supply of fluid under pressure to the air operated stoker motor 3.

When the suction fan I I comes up to operating speed, an interlock valve device I88, sensitive to pressure of fluid in the discharge duct from said fan, responds to eifect supply of fluid under pressure to a diaphragm control chamber of a relay valve device I89 which responds thereto to open a supply chamber therein to a delivery chamber connected to the respective diaphragm control chambers in the relay valve devices I85, I86. An electric generator device I98 is driven by the crusher motor 1, so that when said crusher motor is up to operating speed the current output from said generator device is suflicient to cause energization of a magnet valve device I9I which responds to eifect supply of fluid under pressure to the supply chamber of the relay valve device I89 and thereby to the diaphragm control chambers of the relay valve devices I85, I86 to cause these to assume an open position, connecting their respective supply chambers to the gate operating cylinder 8' for opening the crusher gate 6 and to the relay valve device I81 for eiiecting supply of fluid under pressure to the air operated stoker motor 8 for operating same.

When fluid under pressure subsequently is vented to atmosphere by the relay valve device I82 from the timing valve device I88. said device I88 will respond to successively vent to atmosphere fluid under pressure from, first, the open relay valve device I86, hence relay valve device I81 for terminating supply of fluid under pressure to the air operated stoker motor 8, second, the open relay valve device I85, hence from the gate operating cylinder 6| for closing the crusher gate 8, and third, the switch device I84 for breaking electrical contact to effect stopping of the suction fan I I, crusher 5, and coal pumps 2 I. Detailed description of controls for coal handling portion of plant Referring to Fig. 6, the weighing device I88 disposed substantially within the tank 28, may comprise a diaphragm I98 clamped between two sections of a substantially cylindrical casing element I94 secured to the bottom of the tank 28. The diaphragm may be so arranged as to be subject on its upper side to pressure of fluid in the tank as well as to the weight of a column of crushed-coal stored in the tank and resting on the diaphragm. On its underside, the diaphragm may be subject to pressure of fluid in a chamber I95 within casing element I94. and said chamber may be connected to the feed line 21 by a pipe I96 so that pressure of fluid on opposite sides of the diaphragm at all times will then be equal, since the fluid in tank 28 is also at feed line pressure. Thus the diaphragm I98 will be deflected only in accordance with changes in amount of coal in tank 28 as reflected in the weight of the column of coal above said diaphragm, since any change in feed line pressure will occur on both sides of the diaphragm. A compression control spring I91 may be provided, disposed within chamber I95 and interposed between the bottom of tank 28' and the underside of the diaphragm, for establishing the degree to which said diaphragm may deflect for any given weight of coal above it. A stem I98 may be secured for movement with the diaphragm I98 for adjusting the position of an operating stem 288 of a self-lapping valve device 28I in accordance with the weight of coal in tank 28. Stem I98 may extend through the chamber I95 and a suitable bore in the bottom of the tank. A resilient sealing ring may be disposed in a groove in the bore for slidable sealing engagement with the stem I98 to prevent leakage of fluid under pressure from chamber I95 to the atmosphere.

The self-lapping valve device 28I may comprise a casing 282 having a supply chamber 288, a delivery chamber 284, and an exhaust chamber 285 therein. A supply valve seat element 286, attached to operating stem 288 for movement therewith, is adapted for reciprocable movement within the casing 282. Element 286 is open at one side to the supply chamber 288 by way of ports 281 and a cavity 288, and at its opposite side to the delivery chamber 284 by way of a supply valve seat 289. A supply valve 2I8 in the form of a ball may be disposed within cavity 288 for controlling communication between the supply chamber 288 and the delivery chamber 284. A bias spring 2 is disposed in the cavity 288 for urging the valve 2I8 toward a normally closed position on seat 289. An exhaust valve seat element 2I2, secured for reciprocable movement with a diaphragm 2 I8, is open at one end to the delivery chamber 284 by way of an exhaust valve seat 2 formed therein. Valve seat element 2 I2 extends through the diaphragm and opens into the exhaust chamber 285 by way of a central opening 2I5 extending from end to end. An exhaust valve 2" connected to the supply valve 2 I by a pin 2 I0 and in the form oi a ball is disposed in delivery chamber 204 to cooperate with the seat 2 I4 in element 2 I2 for controlling communication via opening 2" between said delivery chamber and the exhaust chamber 200. A bias spring 2I6. disposed in the delivery chamber 204, may be interposed between seat elements 206, M2 for biasing the seat element 206 in the direction of chamber 202. The diaphragm 2 I3 is subject on one side to pressure of fluid in a diaphragm chamber 2", which pressure of fluid is that of the delivery chamber 204, the two chambers being connected one to the other by way of a choke 2I0. The opposite side of the diaphragm 2 I 3 is exposed to atmosphere in the exhaust chamber 205, said exhaust chamber being open to the atmosphere by way of a port 2i! in the casing. A compression control spring 220 is disposed in the exhaust chamber 205, interposed between the diaphragm and an adjustable spring seat element 22I, for determining the degree of deflection of said diaphragm for any given pressure condition in the delivery chamber 204. The adjustable-spring seat MI is provided to allow for changing the precompression of the control spring 220.

In operation of the self-lapping valve device 2", when operating stem 200 is moved inwardly of the casing 202 a certain distance and held there, the attached seat element 206 is moved downwardly, as viewed in the drawing, while the supply valve seat 209 formed in the end of element 206 is moved away from the supply valve 2". At this time supply valve 2I0 will remain stationary due to seating engagement of the attached exhaust valve 2I5' on seat 2I4 of element 2 I2. After the supply valve seat 209 moves away from the supply valve 2I0, supply chamber 202 is opened to delivery chamber 204 by way of the ports 201, cavity 200 and seat 200. Fluid under pressure supplied to the supply chamber 203 from any suitable source will then flow into the delivery chamber 204 where the pressure of fluid will thus be caused to increase. Pressure of fluid in diaphragm chamber 2 I! will increase with that in the delivery chamber 204, the former chamber being open to the latter by way choke 2I0. Pressure of fluid in diaphragm chamber 2", being greater than the atmospheric pressure in chamber 205 will deflect diaphragm 2I3 against action of spring 220 in the direction of the last named chamber. Deflection of diaphragm 2I3 will carry the exhaust valve seat element 2I2 with it. Bias spring 2 will cause the supply valve 2I0 and exhaust valve 2I5' to follow movement of element 2I2, while said exhaust valve remains seated on seat 2 I4 in the end of said element, until said supply valve seats on seat 209 in element 206. Upon seating of the supply valve 2I0, the supply chamber 203 is closed to the delivery chamber 204 and further increase in pressure in the last named chamber thereby will be prevented. In absence of further increase in delivery pressure in the diaphragm chamber 2", the pressure force on its one side will balance with spring force on its opposite side and further deflection of said diaphragm will cease. The supply valve H0 and the exhaust valve 2I5' remain seated. If, at this time, the stem 200 were moved inwardly a greater amount, element 206 would again be moved downwardly to unseat from the supply valve 2I0, the above described action would repeat, and an increase in pressure of fluid would be secured in the delivery chamber 204. The pressure of fluid thus obtainedin the delivery chamber 204 will vary in substantial proportion to the degree of inward movement 01' the operating stem 200. The minimum pressure which will be held in the delivery chamber 204 will depend on the degree of precompression of the control spring 220 which may be changed by adjusting position of the spring seat element Hi.

It, subsequently, the operating stem 200 is allowed to be moved outwardly of the casing by action of spring 2I6 to a more extended position,

the supply valve 2 I0 and attached exhaust valve 2|! will be carried with it. The exhaust valve 2|! is thus unseated from seat 2 in element 2I2 and the delivery chamber 204 thereby opened by way of opening 2 I 5 in said element to exhaust chamber 205. Delivery pressure in chamber 204 is thus caused to reduce, and such reduction, reflected in the diaphragm chamber 2, allows the control spring 220 to deflect the diaphragm 2I2 upwardly. Upward deflection of the diaphragm 2 I3 carries the element 2I2 into engagement with the exhaust valve 2I5. The delivery chamber 204 is thus closed off from the exhaust chamber 205 and further reduction in delivery pressure prevented. The diaphragm 2I3, therefore, ceases further deflection, and both the supply valve H0 and exhaust valve 2| 5' remain seated. A reduced delivery pressure, determined by position of the operating stem 200, is thus secured.

Summarizing action of the self-lapping valve device 20I, it will be'seen that with the proper adjustment of Spring 220 and with fluid at adequate pressure in chamber 203, the pressure of fluid in the delivery chamber 204 will vary in accordance with position of element 206 as determined by position of the attached stem 200. For example, assume that the chamber 203 is connected to a source of fluid at a pressure of sixty pounds, and it is desired to vary the delivery pressure in chamber 204 in a range between ten pounds and sixty pounds. The spring 220 may be adjusted so that with element 206 in a rest position, ten pounds will be established in delivery chamber 204, and as said element is positioned equal increments in the direction of said chamber by depression of stem 200, the pressure of fluid in said chamber is graduated in correspondingly equal increments until sixty pounds is reached. In the present example, i. e., as long as the pressure of fluid in supply chamber 203 is as great as the maximum pressure desired in the delivery chamber 204, the pressure of fluid in said delivery chamber is determined by position of stem 200.

In the self-lapping valve device 20I the supply chamber 203 is connected to a branch of the control supply pipe II 5 for furnishing a source of fluid at a pressure of about sixty pounds, for example. The delivery chamber 204 of device 20I is connected to a combined control and supply pipe 222 in turn connected to the governor device I8I.. The operating stem 200 isarranged to be positioned by the stem I98 of the weighing device I8I. The delivery pressure in the pipe 222 will, therefore, as will be appreciated from the previous description, be varied in accordance with the amount of coal in the tank 20. When the tank 20 is substantially filled with coal. stem I00 of weighing device I and hence stem 200 of the self-lapping valve device 20I will be at a lowermost position, as viewed in the drawing,

and the delivery pressure in pipe 222 will therefore be at a maximum. As the amount of coal in the tank 28 decreases, the stem I98 of the weighing device I86, and hence stem 200 of the selflapping valve device 2III, will move upwardly, so that delivery pressure in the pipe 222 will be reduced in accordance with the reduction in the amount of coal in said tank 20.

Referring to Fig. 2, the governor device I8I may comprise a casing 223 having formed therein, a control chamber 224, connected to a branch of pipe 222, an exhaust chamber 225, a delivery chamber 226, and a supply chamber 221 connected to another branch of pipe 222. A supply valve 228 disposed in supply chamber 221 is constructed and arranged for controlling communication between said supply chamber and the delivery chamber 226, and a bias spring 229 is arranged to urge the supply valve 228 toward a closed position. The valve 228 may be attached to a fluted stem 230 projecting through a bore in a partition 232 into the delivery chamber 226. An exhaust valve seat element 233. which may be in the form of a hollow rod, is attached to the stem 238 and projects through a bore in a partition 235 which separates chamber 225 from chamber 226. The seat element 233 forms a communication between the delivery chamber 226 and the exhaust chamber 225, said element being hollow and opening into the former chamber via ports 236 and into the latter chamber via an exhaust valve seat 231 formed in the end thereof. A piston 238 is reciprocably disposed within the casing, exposed to pressure of fluid in the control chamber 224 on one side and to atmospheric pressure in chamber 225 on its opposite side, the latter chamber being open to atmosphere via a port 240 in the casing. An exhaust valve 239 is attached to piston 238 for cooperation with seat 231 to control communication between exhaust chamber 225 and delivery chamber 226 via element 233. A compression control spring 24I, disposed in exhaust chamber 225, is arranged to urge the piston 238 in the direction of control chamber 224 to a rest position seated against a projecting element formed in an end wall of the casing, in which position it is shown in the drawing.

When pressure of fluid in the pipe 222 is at a minimum, such as is the case when the storage tank 20 is empty and yet to be supplied with coal, the piston 238 is disposed in an uppermost position in which the exhaust valve 239 is disposed a maximum distance away from the seat element 233, and the supply valve 228 is closed. The delivery chamber 226 is therefore closed to the'supply chamber 221 and open to the exhaust I seat element 233 against the opposing action of spring Hi. When pressure of fluid in pipe 222 increases sufllciently, corresponding to a desired increase in the amount of coal in tank 2|! or at such a time as when said tank is substantially filled, for example, the exhaust valve 239 will engage the seat 231 formed in the end of element 233, closing off delivery chamber 226 to exhaust chamber 226, and, through said element. and the attached stem 230, will unseat the supply valve 228 against action of bias spring 229..' Fluid under pressure then flows from the supply chamber 221 into the delivery chamber 228, thence into the pipe 242 to the relay valve device I82.

When pressure of fluid in the pipe 222 subsequently reduces, as when the amount of coal in storage tank 20 reduces by supply to the com-.

228, thus closing the delivery chamber 226 from a supply chamber 221. Further movement of piston 239 unseats the exhaust valve 239 fromthe element 233 and again opens the delivery chamber 226 and hence pipe 242 to the atmosphere via exhaust chamber 225.

The relay valve device I82 may comprise 9. casing 243 having a diaphragm 244 disposed therein subject to pressure of fluid in a diaphragm chamber 245 on one side and to pressure of fluid in a chamber 246 on its opposite side, which latter chamber is open to the atmosphere via a port 241 in the casing. Also formed in the casing are chambers 248, 249 and'250, chamber 248 being separated from chamber 246 by a partition 25I and from chamber 249 by a partition 252. A partition 253 separates chambers 249 and 258. A valve 254 is disposed in chamber 250 for controlling communication between said chamber 258 and the chamber 249. Valve 254 may be secured to a fluted stem 255 slidably mounted in a suitable bore extending through the partition 253, a seat 251 being formed in one end of said bore to accommodate said valve. A bias spring 258 is disposed in chamber 250, arranged to urge the valve 254 in the direction of seat 251. A valve 259, similar to valve 254, may be disposed in chamber 248 for controlling communication between said chamber 248 and the chamber 249, which latter chamber may be considered to be a delivery chamber. For slidably guiding valve 259. a fluted stem 260 is provided which is slidably disposed in a suitable bore opening through partition 252. A valve seat 262 is provided, formed in partition 252 for accommodating the valve 259. Stems 255, 260 project into and meet in the chamber 249 in such a manner that action of bias spring 258 on valve 254, in urging same in the direction of its seat 251, at the same time, through said stems, urges valve 259 in a direction away from seat 262. If valve 259 is seated, valve 254 is consequently unseated. Valve 259 is operatively connected to the diaphragm 244 by means of a rod or stem 263 extending therebetween through a bore in partition 25I in which said rod is slidably disposed. A sealing ring may be provided in partition 25I for slidable sealing engagement with rod or stem 263 to prevent leakage of fluid under pressure past the stem from chamber 248 and to chamber 246.

A control spring 266 in chamber 246, arranged;

to oppose deflection of diaphragm 244 in the direction of chamber 248 as caused by pressure of fluid in chamber 245, is provided for determining the degree of said pressure necessary for effecting operation of valves 254, 259.

In relay valve device I82, diaphragm chamber 245 is connected to the control pipe 242, chamber 248 is connected to a branch to control supply line II5, delivery chamber 249 is connected to a seated. With valve 258 seated, and valve 254 unseated, delivery chamber 248 and hence pipe 281 are closed to chamber 248 and open to atmosphere via chamber 258 and pipe 288. 1

When the control'pipe 242 and the diaphragm chamber 245 of relay valve device I82 are not pressurized, i. e., when they are open to atmosphere via governor device "I, as is the case when the amount of coal in the tank 28 drops below a certain desired level, the diaphragm 244 will be disposed in a rest position in which it is shown in the drawing, with valve 258open and valve 254 closed. The delivery chamber 248 and control pipe 251 connected to the timing cylinder device I83, therefore, are then closed to atmosphere via chamber 258 and open to control supply pipe H via chamber 248.

' Referring to Fig. 7, the timing cylinder device I83 may comprise a casing 218 in which is slidably mounted a piston 21I subject on one side to pressure of fluid in a chamber 212, connected to control pipe 251, and subject on its opposite side to pressure of fluid in a chamber 213 which is open to the atmosphere via a port 214 in the easing. A compression return spring 215 is disposed in chamber 213 and arranged to urge the piston 2" in the direction of chamber 212 toward a normal rest position seated against a stop shoulder 218, in which position it is shown in the drawing. Three ports 211, 218, 218 in the casing normally open into chamber 213 and hence to the atmosphere, with piston 2" in normal rest position. Ports 211, 218, 218 are connected, respectively, to pipes 288, 28I, 282 which in turn are connected to, respectively, the switch device I84, the relay valve device I85, and the relay valve device I88. The ports 211, 218, 218, and piston 2" are so arranged that upon movement of said piston in the direction of chamber 213 said piston will travel past said ports, andconsecutively expose same to pressure of fluid in chamber 212, and upon its subsequent return past said ports to rest position will consecutively re-expose, in reverse order, said ports to chamber 213. A return piston 283, sub- Ject opposingly to atmospheric pressure in chamber 213 and pressure of fluid in a chamber 284, is attached to piston 21I by means of a rod 285 for insuring return of said piston 21I to rest position in the event that return spring 215 should break. Chamber 284 is constantly open to a branch of the control supply line II5.

As hereinbefore described, pipe 281 is nonpressurized or open to atmosphere via relay valve device I82 when the supply of coal in tank 28 is at a desired level. When'the amount of coal in tank 28 is below the desired level, control pipe 281 is open to the control supply line H5 via'the relay valve device I82 when positioned as itis shown in Fig. 2. If the plant is shut down, the tank 28 may be empty, and the control line II5 may be void of fluid under pressure, so that even though the control pipe 281 is shown open to the supply line H5 via relay valve device I82 in Fig. 2 in the drawing, chamber 212 in the timing cylinder device I83 will not be pressurized and the above-mentioned motors.

consequently, the piston-2H will be in its rest position under such agcondition. As soon as the plant is brought intooperation and the control supply line 5 pressurized, piston 21I will then move in the direction of chamber 213 to close 0! to atmosphere and efl'ect supply of fluid under pressure to pipes 288, 28l, 282.

The switch device I84 may comprise a casing having a bore formed therein closed at opposite ends by end walls as, m, respectively, A piston 288 is slidably disposed in the bore, subject to pressure of fluid in an atmospheric chamber 28! at its one side and pressure of fluid in a chamber 282 at its opposite side. A compression return spring 283 is disposed in chamber 28I, arranged to urge piston 288 in the direction of chamber 282 toward a normal rest position seatedagainst' a .rib attached to end wall 288, in which position it is shown. in the drawing. A rod 284 operatively connects the piston 288 to an electrical switch element 285 of electrical conducting material. Red 284 is secured at its oneend to piston 288 and extends through chamber 2" and an opening in end wall 288. The switch element 285 may be attached to the rod 284 at its.

outer projecting end. Two electrical contact elements 288, 281, insulated electrically one item the other, are secured to a member 288 attached to the casing and disposed in the-path oi! travel of the switch element 285 carried by rod 284. In

response to supply of fluid under pressure tochamber 282, the piston 288 will be caused to bring switch element 285 into contact with both contact elements 285, 281, to complete an electical circuit connected to motors 1, I2, 22. A wire 288 may connect the contact element 288 to one pole of a source of electrical energy, such as a battery 388. The opposite pole of the battery 388 may be connected, via a wire 3M and its branches, to one pole of the suction fan motor I2, crusher motor 1, and coal pump motors 22, while the remaining respective poles of these motors are connected, via a wire 382 and its branches, to the contact element 281 01' switch device I84.

The switch device I84, therefore, connected inseries with a source of electrical .energy, makes and breaks a cicruit for controlling operation of When pipe 288, and thereby chamber 282, are vented to atmosphere via timing cylinder device I83, said switch device is in an open position in which the electrical circuit to the motors is broken.

Referring to Fig. 8, the interlock valve device I88 associated with the discharge duct I5 or the suction fan I I may comprise a casing 885 secuiai to the outside of said duct. The casing may have formed therein a supply chamber 388, a delivery chamber 381, and a. cavity 388; chambers 388. 381 being separated by a partition 388, and chamber 381 from cavity 388 by a partition 3I8. A branch of the control supply line H5 may be connected to the supply chamber 386 for supplying fluid under pressure thereto. A supply valve 3 contained in chamber 385 is provided in the bore 3I2 and attached to valve'3II ior guiding samefl Stem 3I5 extends through the bore 3I2 and projects into the delivery chamber 381. A release valve 3I8, in the shape of an X inverted cone, as viewed in the drawing, lsattached to the projecting end of the fluted stem 315 for cooperation with a release valve seat 311 formed in the end of a hollow release valve seat element 318 projecting oppositely into chamber 301. The seat element 318 extends through a bore 319 in partition 318 into cavity 308 and is operably connected to a diaphragm 320. Diaphragm 320 divides the interior of cavity 308 into two chambers, a chamber 321 defined by partition 310, and a chamber 322 defined by a wall of duct 15. Diaphragm 320 is subject opposingly to atmospheric pressure in chamber 321 open to atmosphere via a port 324, and to pressure of fluid in chamber 322, which is constantly open to the interior of the duct 15 via a port 325. A light compression control spring 326 is disposed in chamber 32 I, arranged to urge the diaphragm 320 toward a rest position seated against projecting ribs attached to the casing and disposed in chamber 322. In rest position of the diaphragm, the release valve seat element 318 attached thereto will be disposed away from the release valve 316, so that chamber 301 will then be open to the atmosphere via a central passage 321 in element 318, chamber 321, and exhaust port 324. One end of passage 321 opens into the pro- Jecting end of element 318 encircled by the seat 311 formed therein, while the opposite end of said passage opens into the chamber 321 via ports 321 formed in said element. The delivery chamber 381 is constantly open to a control pipe 328 which is connected to the relay valve device 189.

Assuming that the suction fan 11 is not in operation, the pressure of fluid in the discharge duct therefrom will be atmospheric pressure. Pressure of fluid in the chamber 322 in the interlock device 188 will also be atmospheric pressure and diaphragm 320 will be disposed in its rest position, with release valve 316 unseated and supply valve 311 seated, in which position they are shown in the drawing. Chamber 305 will be closed to chamber 301, which latter chamber will be open to atmosphere via chamber 321. Pipe 328 connected to relay valve device 189, therefore, will be open to atmosphere.

Once the suction fan 11 is operating, the pressure of fluid in the discharge duct 15 therefrom will be above atmospheric pressure and this pressure, reflected in chamber 322 in the interlock valve device 188 will deflect the diaphragm 320 in the direction of chamber 321 against action of spring 326. This deflection of the diaphragm 320 will cause the element 318 to engage the release valve 316, thus closing off chamber 381 from chamber 321, and to then unseat the supply valve 311 against action of spring 313, thus opening chamber 306 to said chamber 301. Fluid under pressure supplied to chamber 386 from pipe 115 will then flow via chamber 301 to the pipe 328 connected to the relay valve device 189. Once the fan 11 is shut down, the interlock valve device will again assume its rest position, in which it is shown in the drawing, by action of springs 313 and 326.

The relay valve devices 185, 186, I81 and 189 may be constructed substantially the same as the relay valve device 182, as previously described, and for this reason detailed description thereof will not be repeated, but identical parts will be referred to by the same reference numerals.

The control pipe 328 from interlock valve device 188 is connected to the diaphragm chamber 245 in the relay valve device 189 for conacaasee trolling operation oi. the respectivevalves-254,

259. In the relay valve device 189, in absence of fluid under pressure in diaphragm chamber 245, the valve 254 will be closed, with valve 259 open. Conversely, with fluid under pressure in chamber 245, valve 254 will be open and valve 259 closed. Delivery chamber 249 is connected to a control pipe 329 which is in turn connected to the diaphragm chambers 245 of the relay valve devices and 186. The chamber 249 in relay valve device 189 is connected to atmosphere via pipe 330, and chamber 250 is connected to a supply pipe 331. Supply pipe 331 is adapted to be supplied with fluid under pressure from the magnet valve device 191.

When pipe 328 is non-pressurized, the relay valve device 189 closes pipe 331 to pipe 329, and when said pipe 328 is pressurized, said pipe 331 is opened to said pipe 329.

Magnet valve device 191 may be of a wellknown type comprising a magnet portion 332 shown in outline, and a valve portion shown substantially in cross-section. The valve portion may be provided in the usual manner with a supply chamber 333, delivery chamber 334, and exhaust chamber 335. Supply chamber 333 may be connected to a source of fluid under pressure, such as a branch of the control supply pipe 115, to furnish fluid under pressure thereto, the delivery chamber 334 may be connected to a pipe, such as the supply pipe 331 leading to relay valve device 189, and exhaust chamber 335 may be connected to the atmosphere via a pipe 338. A normally closed supply valve 331 disposed in chamber 333 is provided for controlling communication between the supply chamber 333 and the delivery chamber 334. A normally open release valve 333 in chamber 335 controls communication between the delivery chamber 334 and the exhaust chamber 335. A bias spring disposed in the supply chamber 333 is arranged to urge the supply valve 331 toward its closed position and at the same time urge the release valve 338 toward an open position, in which position the two valves are shown in the drawing. One terminal 340 of the magnet portion 332 of magnet valve device 191 may be connected to ground, while its other terminal 341 may be connected by means of a wire 342, to one pole or the generator device 190 driven by the crusher motor 1, the other pole of device 190 being connected to ground.

With the crusher motor 1 idle, the magnet portion of magnet valve device 191 will be deenergized. The device 191 is so constructed and arranged that upon energization of magnet portion 332, the release valve 338 is caused to close and the supply valve 331 to open. It will be seen therefore that the supply pipe 331 to the relay valve device 189 is open to atmosphere via the magnet valve device 191 when deenergized, and when energized, said supply pipe 331 is connected via device 191 to the control supply pipe 115. The pipes 285 and 282 from the timing cylinder device 183 are connected respectively to the chamber 258 in the relay valve devices 185 and 186. The delivery chamber 249 in relay valve device 185 is connected by way of a pipe 343 to the crusher gate operating cylinder 6'. The delivery chamber 249 of relay valve device 186 is connected by way of a pipe 344 to the diaphragm chamber 245 of the relay valve device 181. The chambers 248 in the relay valve devices 185, 136 are connected to atmosphere via resmcttve pipes 338.

In relay valve device I81 the delivery chamber 248 is connected by way or -a pipe 345 and check valve 346 to the air operated stoker motor 3. Chamber 258 is connected by way of a pipe 341 to discharge pipe 9| from the compressor 68 ahead of the cooling coils 92 to furnish supply of fluid under pressure to the pipe 345 for operating the motor 3; and chamber 246 is open to atmosphere via a respective pipe 338.

Relay valve devices I85, I86, I81 each operates similarly to relay valve device I89. In each of these relay valve devices, when the diaphragm chamber 245 is at atmospheric pressure, the valve 254 is closed and the valve 259 open so that a pipe connected to chamber 249 will be open to the atmosphere via the open valve 259, chamber 248 and the pipe 338. Upon supply of fluid under pressure to diaphragm chamber 245, the valve 259 is caused to close and the valve 254 to open and therefore a pipe connected to chamber 258 will be open via the unseated valve 254 and chamber 249 to a pipe connected thereto. .'-When fluid under pressure is supplied simul- 16011513 to the respective diaphragm chamber 245 in relay valve devices I85, I86, it will be seen that pipe 28I is connected via relay valve device I85 to pipe 343 for supplying fluid under pressure to the crusher gate operating cylinder 6', and that pipe 282 is connected via the relay valve device I86 to pipe 344 for supplying fluid under pressure to the diaphragm chamber 245 of relay valve device I81. Relay valve device I81 then responds to connect pipe 341 to pipe 345 for supplying fluid under pressure to the stoker motor 3 for operating same.

It will now be seen that until the suction fan II is operating to remove crushed coal from crusher 5, and until said crusher is operating at full speed to be able to properly handle any coal supplied thereto, the crusher gate 6' and the stoker motor 3 are rendered inoperative. Once the suction tan II and crusher 5 are brought into operation, automatically, the crusher gate 6 is opened and the stoker motor 3 started.

When fluid under pressure is subsequently vented from the chamber 212 in the timing cylinder device I83, as when the proper level of coal in tank 28 has been reestablished, the pipes 282, 28I, 288 are consecutively opened to chamber 213 and atmosphere by movement of piston 2, in the order named. Consequently, first the diaphragm chamber 245 in the relay valve device I81 is vented to atmosphere via pipe 344, relay valve device I86 and the pipe 282 to cut oil supply of fluid under pressure to the stoker motor 3; then the pipe 343 is vented to atmosphere via the relay valve device I85 and pipe 28I to allow the cylinder 6' to eilect closure of the crusher gate 5; and finally the chamber 292 in the switch device I84 is vented to atmosphere via pipe 288 to allow said switch device to return to its open position in which it is shown in the drawing to again out of! supply;of electric current to the suction fan motor I 2, crusher motor 1 and coal 22 but 01' greater capacity, and which is adapted to respond to dictates of an operators valve device 348 to efiect supply of fluid at a higher pressure, about one hundred and fifty pounds for example, from the reservoir 84 by way of a pipe 358, to the stoker motor 3.

For details of relay valve device 348, reference may be made to relay valve device I82. In the relay valve device 348 pipe 358 is connected to the chamber 258. A pipe 35I connects the delivery chamber 249 to the pipe 345 leading to the stoker motor 3 for supplying fluid under pressure thereto. prevents flow of fluid at the higher pressure thus supplied to pipe 345 via pipe 35I from flowing into relay valve device I81. The diaphragm chamber 245 of relay valve device 348 is connected to a control pipe 352 which is normally open to atmosphere, as will be described hereinafter, so that said chamber is also so open, and valve 254 normally is closed and valve 259 normally open, as will be obvious from previous description. The delivery chamber 249, therefore, normally is open to atmosphere, and a check valve 353 is provided in pipe 25I to prevent any fluid under pressure supplied to pipe 345 from relay valve device I81 from fiowing to atmosphere via device 348.

The control pipe 352 is connected to a delivery chamber 354 provided in the operators control device 349. Device 349 is also provided with a supply chamber 355 adapted to be supplied with fluid under pressure from a branch of supply pipe II5 connected thereto, and an exhaust chamber 356 which is open to the atmosphere via a port 351. Chambers 354 and 355 may be separated one from the other by a partition 358, while a partition 358 separates said chamber 354 from chamber 356. A supply valve 368, disposed in chamber 355, is provided for controlling communication between said chamber 355 and the chamber 354. Valve 368 may be attached to a fluted stem 36I slidably disposed in a bore extending through partition 358. A bias spring 363 is arranged to urge the valve 368 toward a normally closed position, in which position it is shown in the drawing. Stern 36I projects into the delivery chamber 354, and a release valve 364 is attached to theend thereof. A release valve seat element 365 in the form of a hollow member is slidably disposed in a bore extending through the partition 359. Seat element 365 is provided with a central passage 361 which extends from the projecting end of said element disposed in chamber 354 to ports 368 opening into the exhaust chamber 356. A release valve seat is formed in the projecting end of element 365 encircling the opening of passage 361 for engagement with the release valve 364. Element 365 is associated with a push button element 368, which is adapted to be operated manually for advancing seat element 365 in the direction of the release valve 364 for contact therewith to close delivery chamber 354 to exhaust chamber 356 via passage 361, and to then effect unseating of the supply valve 368. Push button element 358 is urged, by action of a spring 318, toward- A check valve 346 in pipe 341- auuaeec 23 reversing direction of rotation of stoker 2 in event of a jam which might not otherwise be freed. Device 311 may be operatively connected through gears to a projecting portion of a shaft 313 attached to the stoker.

Operation of the stoker reversing air motor 31l may be controlled by an operator's valve device 314 similar to valve device 349, and for description of parts of device 314, therefore, reference may be made to device 349. The delivery chamber 354 of device 314 may be connected to a pipe 315 in turn connected to the cylinder device 31l. The supply chamber 355 of device 314 may be connected to a branch of the control supply line H5 to furnish fluid under pressure for supply thereto. In a manner similar to that previously described in regard to device 349, the device 314 will normally open pipe 315 to atmosphere, and by manual operation of its push button element 369, will eiiect supply of fluid under pressure from line H5 to pipe 315 for operating the reversing motor 31 I.

General description of controls for the turboelectn'c portion of the plant A fluid pressure actuator device 316 is provided for positioning the coal feed regulator device 28, and a similar fluid pressure actuator device 311 is provided for positioning the adjustable nozzle device 43. Both actuator devices 316, 311 are adjustable in accordance with variations in pressure of fluid in a control line 318 common to both devices for simultaneous positioning of devices 28 and 43.

Variations in pressure of fluid in the control line 318 are effected by adjustment of a selflapping valve device 319 which is similar to the self-lapping valve device 28 I.

Adjustment of the self-lapping valve device 319 is eil'ected by a cam and lever arrangement 388, which is positioned in accordance with the speed setting of a governor device 38 I.

The speed setting of the governor device 38! is effected by a fluid pressure actuator device 382 in accordance with variations in pressure of fluid in a branch pipe 383 of a control line 384. A check and choke valve device 385 and a volume chamber 385 are inserted in the branch pipe 383 for allowing rapid flow of fluid under pressure to the actuator device 382 and slow return of said fluid under pressure therefrom.

Variations in pressure of fluid in the control line 384 are effected by adjustment of a selflapping valve device 386, similar to device 28I, which is comprised in an operators controller device 381. A rotatable cam 388 is provided in the device 381 which is adapted to be positioned by an operators handle 389 for effecting adjustment of the self-lapping valve device 386.

A high temperature interlock 398 is interposed between the self-lapping valve device 319 and the actuator devices 316, 311 for preventing additional fuel from being supplied to the combustion chamber 58 when temperature of hot gases in the inlet to the turbine 45 exceeds a certain value. Interlock 398 comprises a self-lapping valve device 35 which is adjustable to control the degree of pressure of fluid allowed to reach devices 318, 311 from the device 319, and a temperature sensitive actuator device 392 for adjusting said self-lapping valve device 39l in accordance with variations in the temperature in the duct 19 connected to the turbine inlet.

The arm 98 of the rheostat 88, for controllin flow of electric current to the field of generator 24 83, is arranged to be positioned b a fluid pressure actuator device 393 in accordance with variations inpressure of fluid from a self-lapping valve device 395 arranged to be adjusted by the cam and rocker arrangement 388.

A choke and check valve 395 and volume chamber 39l are inserted in the communication between the devices 395 and 393 which allow slow supply of fluid under pressure to the actuator device 393 and its quick release therefrom.

An interlock in the form of a magnet valve device 398 is also interposed between devices 393, 395 to prevent supply of fluid under pressure to the actuator device 393 when the operators handle 389 of controller device 381 is in an idle position, for reasons which will become obvious hereinafter.

A low temperature interlock arrangement MI is provided for preventing a change in the speed setting of the governor device 38! from an idling speed setting unless temperature at the inlet to the turbine is above a predetermined minimum value. The low temperature interlock arrangement 481 comprises a self-lapping valve device 482 which is adjustable to control pressure of fluid to the actuator device 382 for biasing effect of pressure of fluid supplied via branch pipe 383 thereto. For adjusting the self-lapping valve device 482, a temperature sensitive actuator device 483 is provided in the interlock arrangement.

A magnet valve device 484 is provided which is arranged to render the low temperature interlock arrangement 48l ineffective to influence the actuator device 382 when the driving motor 86 is disconnected from the generator 83. This enables an operator to regulate the speed setting of governor device 38l through its entire range for testing and warming up of the turbine 45 without interference from the low-temperature interlock arrangement, as will be pointed out hereinafter.

The operators controller device 381 further comprises a second operator's handle 399 arranged to operate an electric switch for connecting and disconnecting terminals of the driving motor 86 from terminals of the generator to start and stop said motor and for reversing the polarity of the motor field terminals to efiect reversing of the direction of rotation of said motor and thereby the direction of motion of the locomotive.

For adjusting position of the needle valve 81a of nozzle device 61 to control supply of fuel oil to the combustion chamber 58, a fluid pressure actuator device 485 is provided. An operators control valve device 486 is provided for controlling supply of fluid under pressure from a source independent of the control supply line H5 to the actuator device 485. A relay valve device 481, responsive to pressure of fluid from the operators control valve device 486, is operable to effect supply of fluid under pressure to the by-pass valve device 55 and to a normally closed fluid pressure switch device 488 for stopping stoker motor 25 to prevent coal from being fed into the combustion chamber 58 via feed pipe 21 during warm-up with fuel oil, as will be described hereinafter. A magnet valve device 489 is provided for controlling supply of fluid under pressure to the operators control valve device 486.

A starting switch 418 is provided for controlling supply of electric current from a source such as the battery 388 to the magnet valve device 489, and the various electric motors in the plant, as will be described hereinafter in detail.

aasaeee Detailed description of controls for turbo-electric 4 portion of plant chamber 415 and arranged to urge the piston 413 in the direction of chamber 416 toward a rest position seated against a projecting portion of an end wall 426'secured to the casing. A piston rod 426 is attached at its one end to the piston 413 for movement therewith, and at its opposite projecting end outside the casing is pivotally connected to an operating lever 421 for positioning same. An opening in the easing accommodates the rod 426 which is slidable therein.

The operating lever C 21 is pivotally connected at its one end by a pin 424 to a projecting arm 425 attached to casing 412. The. opposite end of lever 421 is provided with a slot 426 to accommodate a pin or the like for operative connection to a device or element to be position.

The operating lever 421 of actuator device 316 is operatively connected to stem 34 of the coal feed regulator device 26, while lever 421 of the actuator 311, which is similar to device 316, is operatively connected to the rod 53 of the adjustable'nozzle device 43. The respective chamber M6 of both actuator devices 316, 311 is connected to the control line 318 which is common to both 01' said devices.

In both the actuator devices 316, 311, upon supply of fluid under pressure to the chamber M6 therein, the piston 413 will move in the diection of chamber 415 against action of spring (313, and through rod 426 attached to said piston, will adjust position of lever 421 according to degree of movement of the piston. Piston 413 will move in the direction of chamber 415 until the fluid pressure force on its one side balances the "orce of sprin 413 on its opposite side, and this in turn will depend on the degree of pressure of the fluid supplied to the chamber 416. Upon subsequent reduction in pressure of fluid in the chamber 416, the piston will move in the direction of said chamber by action of spring 413 a distance dependent upon the degree of said reduction, with a resultant re-positioning of the lever 421. It will thus be seen that lever 421 will be caused to assume an angular position closer to or further away from the casing of the actuator device in accord with the degree of pressure of the fluid in the chamber 416.

Variations in pressure of fluid efiected via the control pipe 318 simultaneously in the respective chambers 416 in both devices 316, 311 effects simultaneous adjustment of the position of the respective levers 421. As fluid under pressure in chamber 416 in actuator device 316 is increased, through consequent positioning of the operating stem 34attached to lever 421, the valves 23 and 36 in the coal feed regulator device 26 are positioned to increase the amount of coal supplied to the feed line 21 and reduce the amount of coal returned to the tank 26. As the pressure of fluid in the chamber 416 of the actuator device 316 is decreased, through the lever 421 and stem 34 the valves 23 and 36 are positioned correspondingly to decrease the amount 01' coal to the .i'eed line 21, and hence the combustion chamber 58 and return the balance to the tank 26. The amount of coal supplied to the feed line 21, is thus varied in accordance with pressure of fluid in the control line 318, increasing as pressure 01' fluid in said line is increased and decreasing as' pressure of fluid in said line is decreased.

In similar manner, increase in pressure of fluid in the chamber 416 of device 311, through lever 421, positions rod 53 and adjustable element 51 in nozzle device 43 to increase the flow area at the throat. Decrease inpressure of fluid in chamber 416 in actuator device 311 causes adjustment of rod 53 and adjustable element 51 in nozzle device 43 to decrease the throat area of said nozzle device. An increase in coal and and air supply to the fuel line 21 calls for an increased throat area in the adjustable nozzle device 43, while a decrease in coal and air in fuel line 21 calls for a decrease in said throat area, in order to maintain the proper pressure drop through said nozzle device. For this reason. the coal feed regulator device 26 and the adjustable nozzle device 43 are positioned simultaneously in accordance with variations in pressure of fluid in the control line 318.

The self-lapping valve device 313 for effecting variations in pressure of fluid in line 313 and the self-lapping valve device 396 for eflectlng variations in pressure in line 318 are substantially similar to the self-lapping valve device 261 hereinbefore described in detail, in view of which a detailed description of the devices 313 and 336 will not be given herein.

As will hereinafter be described in detail, the pressure of fluid in control line 384 is varied from a maximum pressure of sixty pounds to a minimum pressure of ten pounds, for example, so that the maximum pressure that may be delivered to line 318 by device 313 is limited to that present in pipe 384.

The control line 318 connected to the actuator devices 316, 311 is connected in turn to the delivery chamber 264 of the self-lapping valve device- 331, while the supply chamber 263 of said device 331 is connected via a pipe 318' to the delivery chamber 264 of the self-lapping valve device 313. A branch of the control line 384 is connected to the supply chamber 263 of the valve device 313 as a source of supply of fluid under pressure therefor.

The cam and rocker arrangement 386 may comprise two oppositely extending arms 421, 428 adapted to rock about a pin 423 secured to a fixed projecting member 436. To the outer projecting end of arm 421 a cam element 435 is secured for engagement by a roller follower 434 carried by the stem 266 of the self-lapping valve device 313. Similarly, to the outer projecting end of the arm 428 a cam element 436 is attached for engagement by a similar roller follower 434 of the self-lapping valve device 335. A third arm431 is attached at its one end to the arms 421, 428 while its opposite end carries a pin 438 adapted to ride in a slot formed in one end of a rockable actuating link 433. Link 433 is pivotally connected at 446 to a fixed element 441 and serves to connect the governor device 331 to the cam and lever arrangement 386.

As will hereinafter be described, the self-lapping valve device 331 is usually so positioned by the high temperature responsive device 332 that the supply valve seat element 266 in said device aesaeco 391 is disposed away from the supply valve 210 a suflicient distance that any variations in pressure of fluid effected in the line 318' are effected in the line 318 via cavity 208, the unseated valve 210 and chamber 204 in said device 391. Only until the temperature at the inlet to the turbine tends to become excessive, such as 1300 F., for example, does the temperature responsive device 392respond to adjust position of seat element 206 through stem 200 in the self-lapping valve device 3.81 in such a manner as to limit the pressure of fluid in line 318 to a value below that in line 318'.

The cam element 435 in cam and lever arrangement 380 is so shaped that by engagement with roller 434 on stem 200 of the self-lapping valve device 319, as the arm 421 is rocked in a clockwise direction about pin 429, said stem 200 is caused to move inwardly of the casing of said valve device to effect an increase in pressure of fluid in the line 318' in accordance with position of said stem, as will be understood from the previous description of the self-lapping valve device 201. As the arm 421 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction about pin 429, the stem 200 of the self-lapping valve device 319 is allowed to move outwardly for effecting a reduction in pressure of fluid in the line 318 in accordance with position of said stem.

The self-lapping valve device 395 is also similar to the self-lapping valve device 201 previously described. The supply chamber 203 of device 395 is connected to a branch of the control supply line H5, while the delivery chamber 204 thereof is connected by way of a pipe to the supply chamber 333 of the magnet valve device 398. which'is similar to the magnet valve device 191 previously described. The delivery chamber 334 of the magnet valve device 398 is connected by way of a pipe 441", the volume chamber 391', and choke and check valve device 396 to the chamber 416 of the actuator device 393 which is also similar to the actuator device 316 previously described.

The shape of the earn 436 of the cam and lever arrangement 380 is such that by its movement with lever 428 in a counterclockwise direction about pin 429 inward movement of stem 200 of the self-lapping valve device 395 is caused for effecting an increase in pressure of fluid in the pipe 441, and by turning movement of cam 436 in the opposite direction said stem is allowed to move outwardly for effecting a decrease in pressure of fluid in said pipe 441'.

When the magnet valve device 398 is energized, as will be explained hereinafter, the pipe 441' is connected to the pipe 441", and any variation in pressure of fluid in the pipe 441' effected by the self-lapping valve device 395 is also effected in the pipe 441". Variations in pres sure of fluid in pipe 441 are transmitted to the pressure chamber 416 of the actuator device 393 via the volume chamber 391 and the choke and check valve device 396 which prevents a rapid build-up in pressure of fluid in said chamber 416 but allows a rapid reduction in pressure in said chamber. In the actuator 393, as pressure of fluid in chamber 416 is increased above atmospheric pressure, the piston 413 will move from its rest position, in which it is shown in the drawing, to some position in the direction of chamber 415 in accord with the pressure in chamber 416 for effecting movement of the arm 90 of rheostat 88 from a position of maximum resistance to a position for reducing the resistance in the generator field circuit, so that the field cu r t the generator 83 is increased. Conversely, as pressure of fluid in the chamber 416 is decreased, the actuator device 393 responds to move arm of rheostat 88 to increase the resistance inthe field circuit for decreasing the current to the fleld of the generator 83.

The governor device 381 may comprise a rotatable governor head 442 adapted to be revolved by the main shaft 2: of the turbine 45 through gears 443. The head 442 pivotally carries two oppositely arranged bell cranks 444 having governor weights 444 at their outer ends, while their adjacent inner ends engage a collar 445 secured to a longitudinally movable adjusting rod 446. A governor control spring 441 acts against rod 446 in opposition to centrifugal action of bell cranks 444 upon rotation of the head 442 by the shaft 4:. A bell crank 448, pivoted at its knee on a pin 449, is operable upon turning movement in a clockwise direction about said pin to increase the pressure of spring 441, and upon turning movement in the opposite direction, to reduce the pressure of said spring. The bell crank 448 is operably connected'through a link 450 to the operating lever 421 of the fluid pressure actuator device 382.

The adjusting rod 446 is provided with an operating pin 451 disposed in a groove formed in the end of the link 439 so that axial movement of said rod, through resultant rocking movement of said link about its connection at 440, will cause a turning movement of the cam and lever arrangement 380 about pin 429.

By adjustment of the compression of spring 441 the speed setting of the governor device 381 is changed. An increase in the compression of the spring 441 calls for an increased speed of the turbine 45 while a decrease in the compression of spring 441 calls for a corresponding decrease in turbine speed.

For example, assume that the compression of the spring 441 is increased while the turbine 45 is running at a certain speed. The increased compression of the spring 441 will effect longitudinal movement of the rod 446 in a downward direction, as viewed in the drawing, since the centrifugal force acting on the underside of collar 445 caused by rotation of the governor weights 444' no longer balances with the increased force of spring 441 acting downwardly on rod 448. Through downward movement of the pin 451 carried by rod 446, the link 439 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction about pin 440. Counterclockwise turning movement of link 439, through pin 438, causes clockwise turning movement of the arms 421, 428 of cam and lever arrangement 380 about pin 429. As will be understood from previous description, clockwise turning movement of arms 421, 428 about pin 429 will condition the self-lapping valve devices 319, 395 to, respectively, effect an increase in pressure of fluid in the pipe 318 and a decrease in pressure of fluid in the pipe 441'. If the temperature at the inlet to the turbine 45 in duct 19 is not excessive, the increase in pressure of fluid in pipe 318' is communicated to pipe 318 via self-lapping valve device 391 and thence to the chambers 416 of the actuator devices 316, 311 which respond to adjust the coal feed regulator device 26 and adjust nozzle device 43 to call for more coal to be supplied to the fuel line 21 to the combustion chamber 58, thus tending to increase speed of the turbine. If the magnet valve device 398 is energized, as is the case when the driving motor 86 is connected to the generator 83, the decrease in pressure of fluidin pipe 44! will be communi= As speed of the turbine increases, under influence of additional fuel supplied thereto and a reduction in excitation of the generator 83, rotation of the governor head 442 in the governor device 38!, will increase with an increase in turbine speed and cause the governor weights 444' carried by said head to exert a greater upward force on the collar 445 secured to rod 446. When the upward force on collar 448 is thus increased sufficiently to balance the downwardly acting force of spring 441 on rod 446, further downward movement of said rod will cease. Through link 438, the cam and lever arrangement 388 is then held in its adjusted osition commensurate with the new operating speed.

Now assume that the compression of the spring 441 is subsequently decreased. In manner similar to the above described effect of an increase in compression of the spring 441, but conversely, the decrease'in-compression of said spring creates an unbalance in longitudinal forces. on rod 446 in governor device 38! in favor of the upward force exerted on collar 446 .by rotation of weights 444 so that rod 446 will now move upwardly, and through link 439, cause counterclockwise turning movement of the cam and lever arrangement 388 about pin 429. The eifect of such movement of cam and lever arrangement 388, as will be understood from previous description, is to so adjust the self-lapping valve devices 319, 395 to decrease pressure of fluid in pipe 318' and increase pressure of fluid in pipe 44! to effect through actuator devices 316, 393 a simultaneous decrease in the amount of coal supply to the feed line 21 from the coal feed regulator device 26 and an increase in the excitation current supplied to the generator 83 by readjustment of the position of the rheostat arm 98. The speed of the turbine 46 is thus decreased, and upon establishment of an equilibrium between downward force of spring 441 and upward force on collar 445 by rotating weights 444' in the governor device 38!, further movement of cam and lever arrangement 388 is terminated, and the coal supply to the feed line 21 as well as the excitation of the generator 83 established for the new speed condition as dictated by the compression of said spring 441.

Assume that the driving motor 86 is being operated by output from the generator 83 and that the load on said motor is suddenly increased. Such an increase in load on motor 86 will be reflected in generator 83, hence turbine 48, by a corresponding increase in load. The tendency will be for the turbine 48 to slow down. The rod 446, in seeking a position to reestablish equilibrium of forces acting thereon will effect positioning of the cam and lever arrangement 388 simultaneously to effect increase in the supply of coal to feed line 21 and reduction in excitation of generator 83, as will be obvious from the previous description, to maintain the speed of the turbine constant and inaccord with the speed setting of the governor device 38!.

' Conversely, if load on the motor 86 .decreases,

m like mannen the governor device 38! will re-' spohd to reposition the cam and lever arrangement 388 to effect, through self-lapping valve devices 318, 388 and actuator devices 318, 383, simultaneously, a reduction in supply of coal to the feed line 21 and an increase in excitation of the generator 83, to maintain speed of the turbine in accord with the speed setting of the governor device 38! and the reduced load.

It will be appreciated that since position of handle 388 determines the pressure of fluid in control line as and this in turn determines the speed setting of the governor device 38! as well as the maximum pressure which may be attainable in the pipes 318', 318 by adjustment of selflapping valve device 318, said position of handle 388 determines the operating speed of the turbine 48 as well as the maximum amount of fuel that can be supplied thereto and hence its maximum power output for the particular position of handle 388. Therefore, it should be pointed out that while self-lapping valve devices 319, 398 are simultaneously adjusted by governor device 38! to call for increased fuel and decreased excitation when there is a tendency for shaft :1: to slow down, such,

tendency may be of a proportion that further adjustment of self-lapping valve device 318 exceeds the limitation of pressure of fluid in line 384 and is therefore ineflective to increase supply of fuel, so that any additional compensation of shaft speed will be effected by said decreased excitation alone. For this reason, there is no direct relationship between the operating speed of the driving motor 86, hence speed of the locomotive, and the speed setting of the governor device 38! as determined by position of the handle 388 in the operators controller device 38!.

The volume reservoir 39 and the choke and check valve device 386 in the pipe 44! interposed between the magnet valve device 398 and the actuator device 393, prevents a sudden increase in field excitation of the generator 83 by restricting rate of supply of fluid under pressure to said actuator. A sudden increase in excitation of generator 83 would tend to effect a too rapid reduction in speed of the turbine for safe operation. The choke and check valve device 386 may be like the choke and check valve device 385.

The temperature sensitive actuator devices 392 and 483, may comprise (Fig. 9) a tubular member 488 of low thermal co-eilicient of expansion secured adjacent its one end peripherally by means an actuating element 466. One end of the actuating element 466, at one side of pin 465, is adapted for engagement with the roller follower 434 of the self-lapping valve device 38! or 482 and is arranged in such a manner that rocking movement of element 466 in a clockwise direction about pin 465, as viewed in the drawing, will allow the stem 288 of said device 38! or 482, to move outwardly to decrease its delivery pressure. Conversely, rocking movement of element 466 in the opposite direction will cause stem 28!! of device 38!, or 482 to move inwardly, eil'ecting an increase in its delivery pressure. A compression bias spring 481 is interposed between the rigid element 461 and the actuating element 486 at the follower side of the pin 465 and is so arranged as to urge said element 466 in a counterclockwise direction into engagement at the opposite side of said pin with one end of a rod 468 disposed substantially within the tubular member 468. The opposite end of rod 468 is secured tothe projectlng end of the tubular member 468 within the duct 19 by suitable means. The material of rod 468 has a high thermal coefficient of expansion, while material of member 468 has a low thermal coefficient of expansion so that upon increase in temperature within the duct 19 the rod 468 will expand more than the member 468 and cause the element 466 to rock in a clockwise direction about pin 465 against action of spring 461. Conversely, upon decrease in temperature in duct 19, rod 468 will contract and allow spring 461 to rock element 466 in a counterclockwise direction about pin 465.

As was hereinbefore mentioned, the high temperature interlock device 398 is provided for effecting a limitation of the amount of coal supplied to the combustion chamber 58 during operation of the plant when the temperature at the inlet to the turbine 45 approaches a maximum desirable limit, such as 1300 F.

The temperature at the turbine inlet, in the duct 19, for example, will depend upon the amount of fuel burned in the combustion chamber 58 and the amount and temperature of the air from compressor 68 mixed with the products of combustion generated by the burning of said fuel. The amount of air discharged from the compressor 68 and the amount of fuel supplied to the combustion chamber 58 will vary with operating conditions of the plant, speed and load, for example.

As the pressure of fluid in line 218 supplied to the actuator device 316 is varied from a minimum of ten pounds to a maximum of sixty pounds, for example, through adjustment of the coal feed regulator device 26, the coal supplied through the feed line 21 to the combustion chamber 58 is varied from a minimum to a maximum amount, respectively.

The temperature sensitive actuator device 392 in the high temperature interlock 398 is arranged to adjust position of the stem 288 of the selflapping valve device 391 for varying the delivery pressure in the line 318 to reduce the amount of coal supplied to the combustion chamber 58 when the temperature at the inlet to the turbine approaches a maximum desired limit.

Under different running conditions of the plant, pressure of fluid in the line 318' may be varied by the self -lapping valve device 319 from a minimum pressure of ten pounds to a maximum pressure of sixty pounds, for example. The compression of the control spring 228 and the position of stem 288 in self-lapping valve device 39| in engagement with actuating element 466 of temperature sensitive device 398 are initially so adjusted that when the temperature at inlet to the turbine 45 is less than 1250 F., for example, any variation in pressure of fluid in the line 318, between ten and sixty pounds, will also be effected in the actuator device 316 via line 318 for so adjusting position of the coal feed regulator device 36 to vary the coal supplied to the feed line 21 between a certain minimum amount, corresponding to the control pressure of ten pounds, and a certain maximum amount, corresponding to the sixty pound control pressure. As temperature of fluid in the duct 19 at the inlet to the turbine 45 increases, resultant rocking movement of the actuating element 466 of the temperature sensitive device 382 will allow the stem 288 of the self-lapping valve device 391 to move Outwardly. The temperature sensitive device 392 and the self-lapping valve device 39! may be so adjusted that, with a pressure of fluid at sixty pounds in the line 318', as the temperature in duct 19 increases from 1250 F. to 1300 F., for example, said self-lapping valve device will respond to effect a graduated reduction in pressure of fluid in the line 318 from sixty to ten pounds, respectively. It will be seen, therefore, that under the assumed conditions, as the temperature in the inlet duct 19 tends to increase above 1258 F., the high temperature interlock 398 tends to reduce the pressure of fluid in line 318 to actuator device 316 and thereby so regulate the amount of coal supplied to the supply line 21, and thereby combustion chamber 58, that temperature in the duct 19 at the turbine inlet will not exceed the maximum desired limit of 1388 F., for example. At the same time, if the pressure of fluid in line 318' is sixty pounds, calling for a maximum supply of coal to the combustion chamber 58, and the temperature inlet in duct 19 is between 1308 F. and 1250 F., for example, should the temperature in said inlet duct tend to drop, the temperature sensitive device 392 will automatically respond to move stem 288 of the self-lapping valve device 391 inwardly for effecting an increase in pressure of fluid in line 318 to the actuator device 316 to call for more coal to feed line 21 to prevent such a reduction in inlet temperature.

As temperature in the inlet duct 19 to the turbine 45 is also dependent upon the working conditions of the plant, such as load and speed of the turbine, as well as the amount of fuel being burned in the combustion chamber 58, the amount of fuel supplied to feed line 21 at which the temperature in the inlet to the turbine might approach the maximum desired value will vary with said working conditions. Consequently, the pressure of fluid in line 318', which indirectly determines the maximum amount of coal which may be supplied to the feed line 21, will not be constant for any given temperature in the inlet duct 19. If, as was the previously chosen example, the interlock 398 is adjusted to graduate the pressure of fluid in line 318 from sixty to ten pounds as temperature varies from 1250 F. to 1300 F. when pressure of fluid in line 318 is at sixty pounds, then should the pressure in said line 318' be some lower value, such as thirty-five pounds, at the time that temperature in duct 19 approaches the maximum desired value, grad uation of pressure of fluid in line 318' may then be effected between limits of thirty-five pounds and ten pounds corresponding to 1275 F. and 1300 F., respectively. The interlock 398 will operate in the same manner, however, to automatically effect regulation of the amount of coal supplied to the combustion chamber 58 to assure operation of the turbine at substantially a maximum desired value.

It will be seen that once the temperature to the inlet to the turbine 45 reaches substantially a maximum desired value that the high temperature interlock 388 will prevent an increase above said desired value and will tend to prevent a reduction below that value.

The fluid pressure actuator device 382 for adjusting the compression of spring 441, hence the speed setting, of governor device 38l, is substantially similar to the fluid pressure actuator device 318 previously described. The chamber 4|8 of device 382 is connected to the control line 384 via pipe 383 so that pressure of fluid in said chamber will be varied with pressure in said control line. The chamber 5 in device 382, as was not the case in device 318,'is not open to atmosphere but is adapted to be supplied with fluid under pressure by way 01' a pipe 410 connected to the delivery chamber 334 in the magnet valve device 404, which is similar to the magnet valve device |9|. The supply chamber 250 in magnet valve device 404 is connected to the delivery chamber 204 of the Self-lapping valve device 402 in the low temperature interlock 40| by way of a pipe "I. The supply chamber 203 of the selflapping valve device 402, which is similar to selflapping valve device I99, is connected to the control supply line H5 at a pressure of sixty pounds i Magnetvalve device 404 when deenergized opens the; pipe 410,1rendechamber4l5 indevice 34 terlock 390. The self-lapping valve device 482 is so adjusted initially with respect to the temperature sensitive actuator device 403 that until a minimum temperature of 1200 F., for example,

in the inlet duct 19 is reached, the pressure of fluid in the pipe "I is maintained at full supply pressure, or sixty pounds, which is the pressure of fluid in the control supply line H5. With pipe 4" connected to pipe 410 via magnet valve device 404, therefore, the pressure of fluid at sixty pounds in the chamber 4| 5 in the actuator device 382 will prevent any change in the speed setting of the governor device 38l from its idle speed setting, even though pressure of fluid in chamber 6 of said device 382 may also reach sixty pounds. As the temperature in the inlet duct 19 exceeds the minimum desirable operating temperature of 1200 F. and approaches some such value as 1250 F., the self-lapping valve device 382, to the atmospherevia Jim pipe 336. When energized, the magnet valve device 404 connects the pipe 410 to the pipe 4" from the low temperature interlock 40l.

When chamber H5 in actuator-device 382- is connected to atmosphere via magnet valve device 404, as pressure of fluid in the control line 384 is varied from ten to sixty pounds, corresponding to moving the operators handle 389 in controller device 381 from an "idle position to a full power position, the actuator device 382 will respond to adjust position of bell crank 448 for increasing compression of spring 441 in the governor device 38| from a minimum to a maximum value, corresponding to an idling speed setting to a full speed setting of said governor device.

The self-lapping valve device 380 in the controller 381 is similar to the self-lapping valve device 20|. The supply chamber 203 of device 388 is connected to the control supply line 5 at sixty pounds pressure and the delivery chamber 204 of said device is connected to the control line 384. Cam 388 is so shaped as to adjust position of stem 200 of the self-lapping valve device 388 to eflect variations in pressure of fluid in line 384 as said cam is turned with handle 389 from its idle to its full power position.

- Choke and check valve device 385 is 01' a wellk nown type arranged to allow unrestricted transmission of fluid under pressure to the chamber 6 of actuator device 382 and to prevent a sudden release of fluid under pressure therefrom, A too sudden reduction in speed of turbine 45 is thereby prevented. Volume chamber 385' tends to smooth out flow or fluid under pressure through 383.

When magnet valve device 404 is energized, and therefore pipe "I is connected to the pipe 410, fluid under pressure supplied by the self-lapping valve device 402 in the low temperature interlock "I to the pipe 41| is transmitted to the chamber 4|! in the actuator device 382 where it acts to 402- is arranged to efl'ect a graduated reduction in pressure of fluid in pipe "I from sixty pounds to ten pounds. In so doing, with pipe 41! open to pipe 410, the restraining influence of pressure of fluid in chamber M5 on piston H3 in the actuator device 382 may be gradually reduced until pressure of fluid in the chamber 8 becomes eil'ective to increase the speed setting of the governor device 38! above the idling setting. The bias on piston 4| 3 in actuator device 382 created by pressure of fluid supplied to the chamber 4|! is then gradually reduced from a maximum value to a minimum value as temperature at the inlet to the turbine is increased above 1200 F. and approaching 1250 F. Above 1250 F. at inlet to the turbine, the delivery pressure in pipe 4' will remain at a minimum of ten pounds or less to allow maximum effectiveness of pressure 01 fluid in the chamber H6 in actuator device 382 for increasing the speed setting of the governor device 38|.

Upon subsequent reduction in temperature at the inlet to the turbine through the range between 1250 F. and 1200 F. the interlock 4" will effect a graduated increase in pressure in pipe "I from a minimum value to a maximum value for increasing the bias on piston H3 in actuator device 382 for decreasing the speed set V ting of the governor device 38l. Upon a decrease oppose action of pressure of fluid in chamber 8 on the opposite side of piston H3 in said device 382 to prevent a change in the speed setting of the governor device 38| from "idling speed until temperature at the inlet to the turbine 45 approaches a desired lower limit of 1200 F., for example.

The temperature sensitive actuator device 403 comprised in the low temperature interlock for adjusting position of the self-lapping valve device 482 is similar to the temperature sensitive actuator device 392 in the high temperature inin temperature below the 1200 F., the maximum bias will be reestablished in the actuator device 382 and the overnor device 38| returned to its idling speed setting.

Position of the operators handle 388 in the operators controller device 381 controls energization of the magnet valve device 388. One pole of a source of electrical energy such as a battery 415 is connected to a portion 418 of the operators handle 389 which is insulated electrically from the handle proper. The opposite pole of battery 415 is connected to ground, while one pole of the magnet valve device 398 is grounded. A contact element 411, adapted and arranged for contact with the portion 416 of handle 388 when same is moved out of its idle" position, is connected via a wire 418 to the opposite pole of the magnet valve device 398. When the operators handle 389 is in its idle position, the magnet valve device 398 is energized thus venting pipe 44| to the atmosphere. When handle 38! is moved out of idle position toward full power position, the magnet valve device is energized and thus connecting pipes 44l' and 44|" to allow for adjustment of the rheostat 88 as previously described. Pipe 44|" is vented to atmosphere when the handle 388 18 in id 9051* 

